1 Job took up his theme anew and said;
2 Oh, that I were as in the months past! as in the days when God watched over me,
3 While he kept his lamp shining above my head, and by his light I walked through darkness;
4 As I was in my flourishing days, when God sheltered my tent;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, and my children were round about me;
6 When my footsteps were bathed in milk, and the rock flowed with streams of oil;
7 When I went forth to the gate of the city and set up my seat in the square-
8 Then the young men saw me and withdrew, while the elders rose up and stood;
9 The chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;
10 The voice of the princes was silenced, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.
11 Whoever heard of me blessed me; those who saw me commended me.
12 For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, the orphans, and the unassisted;
13 The blessing of those in extremity came upon me, and the heart of the widow I made joyful.
14 I wore my honesty like a garment; justice was my robe and my turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame was I;
16 I was a father to the needy; the rights of the stranger I studied,
17 And I broke the jaws of the wicked man; from his teeth I forced the prey.
18 Then I said: "In my own nest I shall grow old; I shall multiply years like the phoenix.
19 My root is spread out to the waters; the dew rests by night on my branches.
20 My glory is fresh within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand!"
21 For me they listened and waited; they were silent for my counsel.
22 Once I spoke, they said no more, but received my pronouncement drop by drop.
23 They waited for me as for the rain; they drank in my words like the spring rains.
24 When I smiled on them they were reassured;
25 mourners took comfort from my cheerful glance. I chose out their way and presided; I took a king's place in the armed forces.